Pelicans Face Tough Times Ahead
Injury Update for Zion Williamson
The New Orleans Pelicans announced on Tuesday that forward Zion Williamson has a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring. This injury will keep him sidelined for at least seven to ten days, meaning he will miss at least four games, starting with the matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
Pelicans Struggling This Season
The Pelicans are currently struggling with a record of 0-6. They are set to face the Charlotte Hornets at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday. This comes after a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Williamson was the top performer, scoring 20 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and providing 6 assists.
Williamson's Performance and History
At 25 years old, Williamson is a key player for the Pelicans, leading the team with an average of 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. However, he has faced challenges with injuries over the past four seasons, particularly with his hamstrings. Since being drafted first overall in 2019, he has played more than 61 games only twice. Last season, he participated in just 30 games before being sidelined due to a back injury.
Impact of Williamson's Absence
The Pelicans have been outscored by 28.7 points per 100 possessions this season when Williamson is off the court. This statistic highlights how crucial he is to the team's performance. With him on the floor, they are still struggling, but the gap in scoring shows how much they rely on him.
Recent Game Participation
This season, Williamson has only missed one game so far, which was against the Boston Celtics on October 27 due to a bone bruise in his left foot. His ongoing health will be crucial for the Pelicans as they look to turn their season around.
